COLUMBUS (WCMH) — The bison herd at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park in southwest Columbus moved into their Summer pasture with a thunderous roar and a spring in their steps Tuesday.

The grasses of the Summer pasture provide a higher nutritional value for the animals during the Summer growing season.

A herd of six female bison arrived in the metro park in February of 2011 on loan from the Wilds. A male later joined the herd, and in June of 2013 the park welcomed a new baby.

Bison, once abundant across North America, disappeared from Ohio 200 years ago primarily due to sport hunting.

During a 25-year period in the 1800’s bison numbers dwindled from 35 million to fewer than 500.

The Darby Creek herd is a dream come true for the park’s naturalists, offering visitors a look back to the amazing sights once common in Ohio’s prairies.What others are clicking on: